Bahrain's Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs said
Thursday it would dissolve Wefaq and another group in Bahrain's toughest
crackdown yet on dissidents who led an uprising to demand more say in the
government.
"A clarification: Bahrain is not seeking to dissolve
political societies, official statement was incorrect," Sheikh Khaled bin
Ahmed Al-Khalifa wrote in a Twitter message.
"It's a court case against violations committed by the
societies ... In accordance with the constitution, elections will be held to
fill seats vacated by Wefaq. All societies, including Wefaq, are encouraged to
participate in elections and serve the people through Parliament," he
said.
The minister did not elaborate but his comment appeared to
contradict Justice Ministry statements accusing Wefaq, which won 18 seats in
elections for the 40-seat Parliament last year, and the Islamic Action group,
of trying to bring down the constitutional order and taking instructions from
religious leaders.
The ministry said courts were expected to give a decision on
the parties within one month and they would be dissolved immediately if the
government's petition were upheld.
US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Thursday that
Washington was concerned by the move to disband Wefaq and urged the authorities
to reverse the decision. Bahrain's government has good relations with the
United States. The country hosts the US Fifth Fleet.
Last month the government crushed weeks of protests,
deploying security forces throughout the capital and calling in troops from
Gulf neighbors.
Iran has called on the UN Security Council to protect
opposition activists in Bahrain, while the Gulf states have accused Tehran of
interference in Arab affairs.
